Monday's Prayer Closet: Raise a Hallelujah

Prayer is just not words; prayer can be songs that you sing. Many of King David's psalms were prayers and supplication to God in times of troubles, others are praise and worship of God's holiness, both are communication to our heavenly Father.

Let's face it, some situations we find ourselves in leave us speechless. We just don't know the words to say or are so exhausted in our prayers that we that we just don't have the energy to say one more thing. 

For me, this happened at my father's hospital bed. We were all gathered around, praying and talking and praying and laying hands and praying till finally we were all one by one just silent. There was just nothing that could be said that wasn't. I was sitting on the floor at the end of his bed watching him with dried up tears, hoping for a miracle but knowing the prognosis was bleak.

With my head on my knees, all I could say was Jesus. His name because my prayer at that moment. From there I started to hum and then sing to myself. Before I knew it the whole room was singing...Say the name of Jesus, say the name of Jesus,

Say the name of Jesus, no other name I know

That can calm your fears, and dry your tears,

And wipe away your pain.

When you don't know what else to pray,

When you don't know what else to say,

Say the name. Jesus, Jesus

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

The Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of our heart and the deep yearnings within our soul, and He reaches out to us through our spirit.

Through the years I have learn that I have to praise through the battle. 2 Chronicles 20, the story of King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. Is a great example of this. They went into Battle praising the Lord. When we praise, we focus on God, there is no room for fear, darkness, anxiety, etc.  Our focus is off our situation and on our Lord and Savior.

I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah; heaven comes to fight for me
I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me
I raise a hallelujah; I will watch the darkness flee
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery
I raise a hallelujah; fear you lost your hold on me!